A Selection of Recent Literature on Human Sexuality with Special Reference to Marriage Counseling Practice

Abstract

There is a staggering volume of literature on human sexuality these days. It is difficult for professionals to have time to assess the value of much of this literature, though much of it would be useful to the Christian marriage and family counselor whether for his own professional growth, for bibliotherapy with clients, or as resource material for teaching and speaking in community service.

This article surveys representative literature dealing with different aspects of human sexuality and attempts some assessment of it for professional and client use in marriage and family counseling. Some are very heavy tomes, others fairly frothy, popular-level treatments. All, however, add in some measure depth and perspective to the marriage and family counselor's understanding of sexuality at a time when values are shifting and traditional ideas about sexuality are rapidly changing.

Most of the books discussed are relatively recent; that is, from the 1970s. A few, on the other hand, come from the latter part of the 1960s. It was thought that Masters and Johnson's Human Sexual Response was so basic to the whole tenor of contemporary sexual therapy and counseling that it has been included in this brief survey.

It is a most encouraging sign that there is a literature on sexuality (cf. Small & Smedes) that is indicative of a new approach to sex and sexuality coming for the Christian in our time. This is a development long overdue and God is to be praised for stirring up gifted men to do the writing at this time. Much solid theological thinking about sexuality is bound to increase in the future. That evangelical writers would see the need and rise to meet it is thrilling beyond measure. New directions in understanding sexuality for Christians are being established in our time.